Portugal
Top tourist attractions and sights in Portugal blend Atlantic beaches, historic cities, and scenic coastlines. The capital Lisbon charms with its trams and old quarters, Porto is famous for port wine and riverside views, while the Algarve offers golden beaches and the island of Madeira adds lush subtropical scenery.
General information
Portugal is the westernmost country of mainland Europe, a slender land facing the Atlantic with a mild climate, a long seafaring history and a warm, easy-going culture. From the tiled facades and trams of Lisbon and the port-wine cellars of Porto to the golden cliffs of the Algarve and the terraced vineyards of the Douro, it offers remarkable variety in a compact space. Once the launchpad of the Age of Discoveries, Portugal treasures its heritage while remaining one of Western Europe's friendliest and best-value destinations. Portuguese is the language, English is widely spoken in tourist areas, and the food, wine and coastline are superb.
Transport and how to get there
The main airports are Lisbon (LIS) and Porto (OPO), with Faro (FAO) serving the Algarve; the Atlantic islands of Madeira and the Azores have their own airports. Fast Alfa Pendular and intercity trains link Lisbon and Porto in under three hours, and buses reach the smaller towns. A car is handy for the Algarve coast and the Douro Valley, while the historic city centres are best explored on foot or by tram.
Prices
Portugal is one of Western Europe's more affordable countries, though Lisbon and the summer Algarve are dearer. Expect roughly 60-140 EUR per night for a mid-range hotel, with hostels from about 18 EUR. A casual meal runs around 12-20 EUR, a coffee barely 1 EUR, a glass of wine 3-4 EUR and a pastel de nata about 1.30 EUR. Trains and buses are inexpensive, and most sights cost 8-15 EUR. Prices are approximate and vary by region and season.
Main attractions
Lisbon charms with its hills, trams and the monuments of Belem, while Porto captivates with the riverside Ribeira, its grand bridges and the port-wine lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia. Just outside Lisbon, the fairy-tale palaces of Sintra are unmissable, and the Douro Valley offers wine cruises through terraced hills. Add the dramatic cliffs and beaches of the Algarve, the university city of Coimbra, the walled village of Obidos, and the subtropical islands of Madeira and the Azores, and Portugal packs a lot into a small country.